WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4808, 6 June 1884, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Yesterday,

The Governor's Speech.

[We conclude our report of the Governor's Speech, commenced in last night's issue:—]

The provisions of the proposed Federal Council Bill will not in any way affect the powers of the several colonies respecting the control of their own affairs, but it is deemed to be of importance.that there should be a body having authority to act in matters of Australasian concern as to which individual colonies would be powerless, or be capable of no more than weak or dilatory action. Any action taken from time to time by the Imperial Government would be greatly facilitated by the existence of a body representing United Aas« tralasia, with which they might confer on matters concerning the relations between this part of the Empire and foreign countries. A return will be laid before you from which you will learn that there was during the year a large increase in traffic on the railways, indicating a considerable growth in the industries of the colony, but it was found, during the last few months, but notwithstanding this increase there would be a' deficit in the actual receipts as compared with the estimates which were submitted to you last session. A large expenditure had also become indispensible, not only for providing necessary appliances, but also for affording increased facilities to those using the lines. In these circumstances the Government decided to exercise the power given to them by the Legislature, and to raise the tariff of charges to a rate nearly equal to that which, without bearing unfairly upon any class, had formerly been in force, rather than allow the expanse of carriage upon the railway to fall on the general taxation of the colony. Careful surveys have been made of the different routes proposed for the Main Trunk Bail way through the North Island. Reports as to these, showing their respective merits and the character of the country traversed by each, will be laid before you in accordance with the terms of " The North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act, 1882." Your approval will be asked for that route which is shown to offer, upon the whole, the greatest advantage. A bill will be introduced having for its object to establish the Civil Service on a more satisfactory basis. By its provisions it will be sought to give to the officers of the service a confidence in their status, as defined by legislation, which cannot but be benefical to them and to the public they serve; at the same time a guarantee will be afforded that appointments will be the reward of merit; that promotion will be open in all departments of the service to those who prove themselves efficient. Among other measures submitted for your consideration will be a bill to provide for the carriage of parcels by post; a bill to amend the Regulation of Elections Act; a bill to alter the constitution of certain city electorates ; a bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to the qualifications and registration of voters, and to provide for the issue of " electors' rights ;" a bill to amend the law relating to the property of married women ; and a bill to facilitate the alienation of land. I do not doubt that the circumstances of the colony and the provisions of the measures brought before you will receive your most careful and earnest consideration, and I trust that your decisions, under God's blessing, will tend to the happiness and the well-being of the people of New Zealand.